scared to death

[vit1973]

Please I need your advice. I had a suture needle stick from a poz patient who wasn't aware of her status. I started PEP within 50min and completed the 28day course, after 8wks my test is negative. Please is there a possibility of the result changing at 12wks? I really worried.

[Andy Velez]

It would be VERY unlikely for you to get other than another negative test result when you re-test.

In the meantime get busy on other things in your life. It will make the remaining waiting time go much more easily than you may imagine is possible.

I expect you to come out of this ok.

[vit1973]

Hi
Thanks for your reply. Please why the variation in length of window period? Some say 6-8 wks, I read in Serbia it's 2 months, Uk 12wks, so with CDC. Please your thought. Thanks in anticipation.

[Andy Velez]

Hi
Thanks for your reply. Please why the variation in length of window period? Some say 6-8 wks, I read in Serbia it's 2 months, Uk 12wks, so with CDC. Please your thought. Thanks in anticipation.

I've merged your threads here. In the future please follow our rule and keep all of your entries in this thread and don't start anymore new ones. Thanks for your cooperation.

Now, as to your latest question...  The generally accepted window period is 3 months or 12/13 weeks. That's what the CDC recommends and we follow that. The average time to seroconversion is 22 days. All but the smallest number of those who are going to seroconvert will do so within 4-6 weeks after an exposure. If you decide you want to do an initial test at 6 weeks, a negative test result at that point  would be a very strong indication that you will continue to test negative at 3 months.

[Ann]

Vit,

You were never in a high risk situation to begin with. Hiv is a fragile, difficult to transmit virus. When it is transmitted from needles, it is not from solid needles like a suture needle, it is from hollow bore needles where there is blood INSIDE the needle, not outside on the surface. When hiv is exposed to the environment, small changes in temperature, and pH and moisture levels all quickly damage the virus and render it unable to infect.

Am I correct in thinking you are a medical student? If you are, or if you work for a medical NGO, then you should be speaking to your supervisor about these matters.

There are really only two ways that an adult will become hiv positive. One is through sharing drug injecting equipment and the other is through unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse. Here's what you need to know in order to avoid hiv infection:

Do not share drug injecting equipment.

You need to be using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no exceptions until such time as you are in a securely monogamous relationship where you have both tested for ALL sexually transmitted infections together.

To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with an STI. Sex without a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.

Have a look through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.

Anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.

If you aren't already having regular, routine check-ups, now is the time to start. As long as you make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, you can fully expect your routine hiv tests to return with negative results.

Don't forget to always get checked for all the other sexually transmitted infections as well, because they are MUCH easier to transmit than hiv.

Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!

Ann

[vit1973]

Hi
Please don't be tired of me. Please are there medications/drugs or conditions other than anticancer drugs that prolong the window period? Thanks for the wonderful work you guys doing here.

[vit1973]

Please Ann/Andy or anyone, after PEP following my solid needlestick, does my window period start ftom moment of exposure or last dose of PEP. I started it 50min following the exposure. Please reply me. PLEASE!

[Ann]

Vit,

There are no meds that will prolong the window period other than cancer chemotherapy or anti-rejection drugs following organ transplant.

You need to test at three months after your last dose of PEP for a conclusive result.

As you didn't actually have a risk to begin with, I fully expect you to test negative when you test at the appropriate time.

You can test at six weeks post-PEP for peace of mind. The vast majority of people who have actually been infected will seroconvert and test positive by this time. A six week post-PEP negative is highly unlikely to change, but must be confirmed at the three month point.

Sorry your med question wasn't answered earlier. The forums were offline for most of the weekend due to a server problem.

Ann

[vit1973]

Thank you so much Ann/Andy.

I did a Rapid test at 6wks post PEP[10wks post exposure] and it came out negative.

I know it's not conclusive but going by what you said I'm really encouraged. I'll do another one at 12wks post PEP and I pray the result remains negative especially as I've not had any symptoms since the suture needlestick.

[Andy Velez]

With that ten week test you are virtually guaranteed another negative at 12 weeks.

Cheers!

[vit1973]

Andy/Ann hi.

I did a 9wk post PEP Rapid antibody test and it's negative, I know I have 3 wks to go.

My anxiety has reduced now and I feel I should let you know.

I'm really grateful for your kind and professional advice.

Thanks!!

[Andy Velez]

You're welcome. I expect you to come out of this ok.

 

[Ann]

vit,

Good news, but not unexpected. As we told you, you didn't have much of a risk to begin with.

I totally expect your three month test to also be negative, so relax.

Ann

[vit1973]

Ann and Andy hi.

Today is exactly 12wks post PEP and my Rapid antibody test came out Negative.

Can I take this as conclusive and move on with my life now?

You guys have truely been my strenght through this scary and difficult period, for this I'm grateful.

Thank you!!!

[jkinatl2]

You were never in a high risk category to begin with. Even if you were, you have tested negative with a conclusive result. I sincerely hope that, with moving on with your status, you continue your education insofar as HIV transmission and testing are concerned.